Ronald Dana Tilgner

Aberdeen - Dr. Ronald Dana Tilgner, 90, of Aberdeen, S.D., died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in the caring arms of Hospice of Martin & St. Lucie, after a short battle with cancer in Stuart, Fla. He was able to celebrate his 90th birthday on June 21, 2003, with friends and family at the Jupiter Medical Center Hospital. Ronald was born in Cogswell, N.D., but moved to Aberdeen with his parents as a small child. Dr. Tilgner graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathy in 1938 and began his practice in Aberdeen that year. He dedicated his life to helping others through his unique and irreplaceable practice of Osteopathic Manipulation and conventional medicine. He truly “did no harm.” His license to practice medicine was current at the time of his death. His most cherished memories and most enjoyable experiences took place at Pickerel Lake, S.D., where he spent summers with his parents and older brother from the time he was born in 1913 and continued throughout his lifetime. His mother built a summer home there in 1925. He met his cherished wife Jeanette Sletting at the lake and married her in 1937. They had a wonderful 63 years together until she preceded him in death in September of 2000. The cottage was home to him and family every summer from late May until school began, or the cold weather of late October or November made it impossible to stay longer. He loved to fish on Pickerel Lake and hunted ducks, pheasants and geese. He and his family championed his beloved lake and fought to keep her clean, beautiful and viable. When it appeared that they were losing the battle, he sold his home there and bought a second home in Hobe Sound in 1987, near a lifelong friend who had introduced him and his wife and his son James to the area in the early '80s. He was able to continue visiting Pickerel Lake through the generosity of his dear friend, Maurice Webb and the Webb family. He is survived by his son James and daughter Ronnette H. Dailey of Hobe Sound; five granddaughters and six great-grandchildren; and nephew, Dr. David Sletting of Aberdeen, S.D. A Memorial Service is being held at the Hospice of Martin & St. Lucie Residence Gazebo in Stuart, Fla., on Wednesday, July 9th at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon in his honor at Miles Grant Country Club. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at Pickerel Lake in August. Arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Hospice of Martin & St. Lucie Inc., P.O. Box 1165, Stuart, FL 34995, attention Foundation Office and/or to Hospice of Choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Young & Prill Funeral Home, Stuart.